Trump is running on the economy.

Our economy is the best in the world & inflation is under 3%. Yes, I’m better off, by a long shot. 

He doesn’t truly understand how tariffs are transfer taxes paid by the consumer, and not the country that he doesn’t like.

Unemployment is at its lowest level in 54 years. 

Trump added 8.2 trillion dollars to our national debt.

That is more than any president ever, and he did that in one term. 

What happened to all those Republicans that were so upset about running up the debt?

Trump is running on immigration. The crossing of illegal immigration is now lower than it was in 2019 (when Trump was President). Trump also killed the bipartisan border deal, for completely political election campaign reasons.  He insisted that Mexico was going to pay for “the Wall” – they didn’t, but your tax dollars did. 

Trump is running on crime. Crime is lower than it was under the Trump. He says that he doesn’t like crime, but he continues to be the criminal running to stay out of jail.

Trump is running on drilling oil. The US is drilling more oil than ever before.

Trump is running on job creation. There has been more job creation under the current administration.

Trump is suffering from dementia. He is too old and mentally unstable to handle the everyday stress of the job. He can’t answer simple questions, because he can’t focus long enough to pull together a cohesive thoughtful response. 

He really thinks “he is the only one” that can do things that he promises, yet has no rational and realistic plans as to how to get anything done.

Trump changes positions on topics to best suit his needs at the moment.  He is a flip -flopper on everything, especially when it means trying to convince people to vote for him. He loves women, when it suits his needs.  He loves minorities, when it fits his agenda. He is not a trustworthy person.

Trumpp disrespects the military veterans, by staging “photo ops” at Arlington National Cemetery.

Trump disrespects Christianity, by selling his version of the Holy Bible, that includes government documents and other non-secular items in order to just make a buck.

One party complains about the problem at the border, but refuses to enact a Bill written primarily by a representative of their party (solely on the grounds that their leader told them not to, because it would make the other side look like they did something good about that situation). 

One party likes to complain about the economy, yet the actual numbers don’t support their imaginary made up falsities.  

One party insists that the Federal debt needs to be brought under control, yet a single act by the then president representing that party increased the Federal debt by 7 trillion dollars, when he gave his rich pals and corporations a massive Tax break. 

The candidate for president of that party cannot tell the truth. His mantra is that if you say something enough times, and insist what you say is true – eventually others will believe it. 

He doesn’t really care about anyone, other than himself and the wealthy that give him their money. 

He uses people and insists on unlimited loyalty, even when loyalty given under oath is to the Constitution, not to the President. 

No other candidate has ever had the vast number of past cabinet members not only NOT support him, but instead tell folks to NOT elect him. 

On January 6th he green lighted a riot, then acted like he did nothing wrong. Words matter, people got hurt and died and to make it worse – He did nothing to try and stop them until it was far too late. 

On January 7th, the line up of Republican leaders that are on tape blaming Trump, included both the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority leader.  Many of the White House staff and Cabinet members resigned. 

Military leaders, and past cabinet members, have all come out saying – do NOT vote for him.  All of them had worked for, or with, him previously – and do NOT believe he should be allowed to hold the office again.  That should tell you something.  

He is a convicted felon, a rapist, a habitual liar, a person that uses people, the system, and anything else to his sole advantage – regardless, of whom gets hurt by that action. 

Character should matter. 

Sadly, the American people are so often fooled.

Magicians often use deception when performing tricks, watch over here while I slip something from my sleeve.

The audience falls for it every time.

Whenever something bad happens, and you don’t want people to focus on that, do something that will take their attention away. It’s like in the movie called Wag the Dog. Check it out sometime.

I recently watched a video of a guy explaining to his friend, How Trump could be ahead in the polls even after all the terrible things he has done, including the things he has been convicted of, as well as, the things he has been accused of doing.

The bottom line ended up being that people in general have somehow normalized his behavior.

They have downplayed the things he has said and done, and made excuses for his behavior and also deflected it by blaming the media and the opposing party.

They say that people have short memories, but 3 1/2 years ago, on January 7th – almost everyone that is now kissing his ass were saying he was the cause of the riot and insurrection. When those in the halls of Congress were being attacked, they were scared for their lives and spoke the truth for that short lived moment.

What changed their minds?

Once evil, always evil.

I think a 20 year old understood that, and that’s all the motivation he needed to try what he did.

Frankly, the story about what and how this kid was able to do what he did – just doesn’t really add up.

If it really was because he was just lucky and somehow outsmarted the Secret Service and the rest of the law enforcement at the political rally, then there are some serious problems that have to be addressed within those organizations.

So many unanswered questions, and so much misinformation and conspiracy theories floating about.

It sure helps make Wag the Dog seem possible.

I’m guessing there will be a new Warren Commission created. Somebody has to get to the bottom of this. Right?

While in the meantime, the media will spend more time reporting on that, and less time reporting on other things that actually put him in a worse position.

Wag the Dog, at its core.

In the long run, we will be no better off than before – but, our attention and concerns will be focused elsewhere for a while.

The calls for toning down the rhetoric are seemingly everywhere, since the attempted assassination by the 20 year old that was shot by the secret service in Pennsylvania.

I understand the need for that message at this time, but just wonder whom those saying it are targeting it at?

I am a strong believer in the vast majority of normal people being less verbal and less outlandish.

The rhetoric and hatred essentially is generated by the far right and the far left factions, whose made the conscientious decision to be as loud and boisterous spewing hate and retribution against anyone and everyone that doesn’t agree with them.

Those making the biggest noise will not heed the call to tone it down. They only care about their own cause and no one else.

Sadly, there are fringe and unknowing people being influenced by their message.

If anyone is the cause of vulnerable people doing questionable behaviors, it is those on the extreme ends – and NOT the majority of those in the middle.

For years, the leadership that represented the middle was able to control the few outlandish crazies on the ends. Those leaders no longer seem to be able to do that. In part, because the single person leading the party spewed the hateful messages himself.

Hey, just an idea…maybe the politicians and influencers should just shut up and say nothing for a couple weeks.

That would be a welcome break for the majority of folks in the middle.

Must have been living under a rock for the past 10 years.

In the vitriolic environment that has been created in recent years, this kind of political violence just plain and simply, seemed inevitable. 

The unending bombardment, by both political parties on every sort of multi-media method of communication has helped divide the country.

One side makes hateful statements and then other makes hateful statements – about anything and everything.

That’s going to tic off people until one day, someone will take it upon themselves to do something really stupid.

Then, one side will blame the other and visa versa, over and over again.

Rather than toning down the rhetoric and stopping the hate speech (at least for a little while), the parties leadership will continue, while seeing nothing wrong about it.

The violent backlash has been building and just gotten worse.

The 1st amendment right to free speech is often used as the rationale to be able to say anything (including hate speech).

The 2nd amendment right to bear arms continues to used as rationale to be able to carry weapons of war – even when used to attempt to kill one of the presidential candidates.

When will the madness end? Is democracy on its deathbed?

Is there enough people that care to fix the problem, and NOT only if they are right and get what they want at the cost of others?

A true patriot fights for the betterment of everyone, not just a chosen few that all believe the same, look the same, and act the same.

What has happened to Caring? Putting others before one self?

Until people in leadership positions stop saying and doing hateful things – it isn’t going to get any better. It may even get worse.

The greatest gift the colonists earned by defeating King George of England was Independence.
But, there is no Independence if you simple replace one king with another.
What checks and balances are there, if a king/president simply uses his power of authority to do anything they want? “Official” power isn’t even defined – anywhere.
It is now up to the judicial system to decide what is “official” and what isn’t.
The SCOTUS has become too political.
The intent when creating that branch of government was to interpret the laws, not create them, not base opinions on conservative or liberal philosophy – but instead on unprejudiced opinion of the “law”. I believe they failed to do so, for political reasons.
Perhaps, it is time for change. Perhaps it’s time for a Constitutional Convention.
Things need to change.
We don’t need a king.

I think I have finally arrived at what I will be wishing for on Monday. Monday is my birthday.

Every year I silently come up with a wish that I would hope to come true as a Birthday present to me! I’m sure everyone has had those moments when the candle is lit, and you are told to close your eyes and make a wish!

How many times I sat and pondered in that moment, only to be denied even the smallest idea for what I would truly wish for. Frozen in time, and thoughtlessness. Usually resulting in some physical items, like a toy, or a book, or some sports paraphernalia.

As I grew older, I would often wish for things that were not actually physical items, but instead more philosophical in nature. Good Heath, Loving relationships and friendships, Prayers for Peace, Change, Kindness…

I know, that seems rather silly! Secret wishes that no one else hears or knows about, does seem fruitless.

But, I don’t much care because it is my way of being able to wish for things that I honestly can never afford, are mostly impractical, and I don’t ever expect to happen.

A wishing well in my mind where my hopes and dreams for what I consider a better world resides.

When I started this blog, I thought it would be a great place to share my thoughts and ideas, on a wide variety of topics. I have a lot of thoughts and many ideas…

This place allows me to rant about stuff that I shouldn’t probably post on social media. When I do post philosophical or political thoughts on FB, I find that only a very few people react. I’ve probably been unfriended by a few people, but I’m too old and too opinionated at this age to give a care. I am who I am – and I believe, what I believe.

My tolerance for engaging and dealing with delusional people is running out quickly. I no longer even try to negotiate reality with them, instead mostly deflect, or just walk away frustrated. I used to try and argue or talk thru the differences in opinions, and once in a while that ended with one or both parties walking away angrier than before the conversation started.

Now when I simply walk away without saying anything, I am mostly just frustrated knowing I am allowing that person to drown in stupidity. Hey, it’s their life and their hole they are digging. I feel sorry for them, but many are just too far gone to try and save from themselves.

I used to think that with a well thought out and really great communicated message, some of the delusional could be brought back to reality. Now, I am pretty sure – far too many have always been delusional, and I just failed to recognize it.

So, come Monday when that candle is lit and I close my eyes – I’m pretty damn sure I know what I will be wishing for this year.

All the talk lately by some political hacks seem to try to place the blame on the debt ceiling on Joe Biden and the Democrats. The chart above clearly shows that the problem with rising national debt is NOT just the fault of 1 political party.

Reality check time – The bi-partisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has recently determined that the National debt went up 8.4 trillion dollars due to the things Donald Trump and his Congress did.

The big tax cuts mainly to the wealthy and businesses raised the debt 2.5 trillion dollars.

The pandemic relief spending to individuals and businesses raised the debt 3.6 trillion dollars.

The spending increases in the bills that Congress passed, and he signed raised the debt 2.3 trillion dollars.

To offset the increases in the debt, Donald Trump decided to raise tariffs for incoming goods from other countries (mainly aimed at imports from China).

The tariffs reduced the National debt by merely 445 billion dollars.

The tariff was actually paid for by the consumer, as the increased cost was simply passed on to them and helped caused the inflation we are still battling today.

Nicki Hailey actually called this out in one of the debates and the facts were broomed under the rug. What the hell has reality to do with anything anyways?

Yes, the National debt level needs to be addressed. It starts with having to swallow very bitter pills that most average Americans will not want to deal with.

Spending must be offset by Revenue.

Spend less and you won’t need to raise as much Revenue.

When you raise Revenue, do it fairly and proportionally with those that have it.

Don’t be ignorant of the fact that increases in revenue from businesses will be offset by increases in pricing of goods and services. This will cause inflation.

The debt level only goes up, when more is spent than what is taken in. The United States of America has a number of ways it uses to take in revenue. Taxes, Tariffs, Bonds, Securities, and Exports.

The rest of the world economies trust the United States will meet their lending obligations more so than any other country on earth. Therefore, the Bonds and Securities sold to offset the majority of the National debt is a buffer we must always maintain. We cannot default on our obligations without potentially causing a worldwide monetary crisis. That would also create pressure on many countries to move away from the U.S dollar as the standard monetary value traded in the world. Since we have control of the value of the U.S. dollar, it creates many advantages that the United States need to maintain our debt balance.

Political escapades by some members in Congress, is NOT the appropriate way to deal with the problem of our National debt. Calmer, and more intelligent heads, must be called upon to collectively come up with a plan.

In the meanwhile, just remember the next time it comes up in a political debate. The problem wasn’t created, and won’t be solved, by just one political party. The sooner the leadership of both parties come to that realization, the better.